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Composed by Maurice Ravel. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. This edition: audio, pdf, streaming. 20th Century, Chamber, Contest, Festival, Historic, Standards. 47 pages. Jmsgu3 #1190456. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1621610).
Maurice Ravel's Boléro is a one-movement orchestral piece composed in 1928, commissioned by Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein. It is one of Ravel's most famous works and among his last completed compositions before illness affected his ability to write music.
Background and Composition Initially, Rubinstein requested an orchestral transcription of Isaac Albéniz’s Iberia. However, due to copyright restrictions, Ravel composed a new piece inspired by the Spanish dance form, the bolero. Ravel conceived the work as an experiment in repetition and orchestration. He described it as "a piece consisting wholly of orchestral tissue without music". The composition was completed in just five months. The main theme developed from a melody Ravel played with one finger on the piano.
Structure and Musical Features Boléro is set in C major and 3/4 time. It begins pianissimo with a steady snare-drum ostinato rhythm repeated 169 times throughout the piece. Two alternating melodies, each 18 bars long, are introduced. The first is diatonic, while the second incorporates jazz-like syncopation and flattened notes. The orchestration gradually intensifies through reorchestration and crescendo, culminating in a dramatic climax. The tempo is marked as Tempo di Bolero, moderato assai. Performances typically last around 15 minutes, though durations vary depending on the interpretation.
Premiere and Reception The premiere occurred on November 22, 1928, at the Paris Opéra. It was met with acclaim but also controversy; one audience member reportedly screamed "The madman!"—a reaction Ravel found amusing, considering it an apt understanding of the piece. Despite Ravel considering Boléro a minor work, it became immensely popular worldwide and remains a staple in concert repertoire.
Legacy Boléro is celebrated for its hypnotic rhythm, innovative orchestration, and ability to build tension through minimalistic techniques. Its simplicity belies its profound impact on audiences and musicians alike.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard’s global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.
About Digital Downloads
Digital Downloads are downloadable sheet music files that can be viewed directly on your computer, tablet or mobile device. Once you download your digital sheet music, you can view and print it at home, school, or anywhere you want to make music, and you don’t have to be connected to the internet. Just purchase, download and play!
PLEASE NOTE: Your Digital Download will have a watermark at the bottom of each page that will include your name, purchase date and number of copies purchased. You are only authorized to print the number of copies that you have purchased. You may not digitally distribute or print more copies than purchased for use (i.e., you may not print or digitally distribute individual copies to friends or students).
Composed by Maurice Ravel. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. This edition: audio, pdf, streaming. 20th Century, Chamber, Contest, Festival, Historic, Standards. 47 pages. Jmsgu3 #1190456. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1621610).
Maurice Ravel's Boléro is a one-movement orchestral piece composed in 1928, commissioned by Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein. It is one of Ravel's most famous works and among his last completed compositions before illness affected his ability to write music.
Background and Composition Initially, Rubinstein requested an orchestral transcription of Isaac Albéniz’s Iberia. However, due to copyright restrictions, Ravel composed a new piece inspired by the Spanish dance form, the bolero. Ravel conceived the work as an experiment in repetition and orchestration. He described it as "a piece consisting wholly of orchestral tissue without music". The composition was completed in just five months. The main theme developed from a melody Ravel played with one finger on the piano.
Structure and Musical Features Boléro is set in C major and 3/4 time. It begins pianissimo with a steady snare-drum ostinato rhythm repeated 169 times throughout the piece. Two alternating melodies, each 18 bars long, are introduced. The first is diatonic, while the second incorporates jazz-like syncopation and flattened notes. The orchestration gradually intensifies through reorchestration and crescendo, culminating in a dramatic climax. The tempo is marked as Tempo di Bolero, moderato assai. Performances typically last around 15 minutes, though durations vary depending on the interpretation.
Premiere and Reception The premiere occurred on November 22, 1928, at the Paris Opéra. It was met with acclaim but also controversy; one audience member reportedly screamed "The madman!"—a reaction Ravel found amusing, considering it an apt understanding of the piece. Despite Ravel considering Boléro a minor work, it became immensely popular worldwide and remains a staple in concert repertoire.
Legacy Boléro is celebrated for its hypnotic rhythm, innovative orchestration, and ability to build tension through minimalistic techniques. Its simplicity belies its profound impact on audiences and musicians alike.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard’s global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.
About Digital Downloads
Digital Downloads are downloadable sheet music files that can be viewed directly on your computer, tablet or mobile device. Once you download your digital sheet music, you can view and print it at home, school, or anywhere you want to make music, and you don’t have to be connected to the internet. Just purchase, download and play!
PLEASE NOTE: Your Digital Download will have a watermark at the bottom of each page that will include your name, purchase date and number of copies purchased. You are only authorized to print the number of copies that you have purchased. You may not digitally distribute or print more copies than purchased for use (i.e., you may not print or digitally distribute individual copies to friends or students).
Preview: Ravel: Boléro for String Quartet - Score Only
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